Off to the pyramids

So let me finish up yesterday.

The Egyptians got the blue color around their eyes by applying copper and letting it oxidize. Audrey came by her blue naturally.

And two more facts from yesterday. King Tuts parents both had elephantiasis – so many of their depictions are from the waist up.

And finally we went to King Tut’s exhibit. (No photos allowed). We saw the exhibit in San Francisco in 1979. He was not a significant King as he only reigned from the age of 9 to his death at 18. The only reason he is notable, is that his burial chamber was intact when it was discovered in 1922.

Now we really are on our way to the pyramids

We head out to the pyramids in Sakkara first. Our first stop had three pyramids all built for the same ruler. The first pyramid crumbled before it was finished, the second pyramid was halfway built when the builders decided to change the angle from 54 degrees to 43. This became what’s known as the bent pyramid. The pharaoh rejected that one as soon as he saw it, so a 3rd and final pyramid was built known as the red pyramid.

Collapsed pyramid in the distance. Bent pyramid you could crawl into. Red pyramid.

We started down into the bent pyramid, but you had to climb down backwards and duck. Once you got beyond that you had to crawl thru a tunnel and then climb up several flights of stairs; and then do it again in reverse to return. We took Jordan and Audrey’s word for what came after the backwards, ducking climb. We could have never made it.

The real explorers returning

On to the step pyramid of King Zoser. But here we see a more complete complex with drawings and inscriptions on the walls depicting their lives. There is also a courtyard that was built when the King started his reign, the intent was for the King to run the perimeter of the courtyard after reigning for 30 years. That would prove he was worthy of continuing his reign and he would be coronated again.

The courtyard sits in front of the pyramid and it is HUGE. Fortunately for the King he died in his 27th year of reign – because I think he would have died running the perimeter of this courtyard.

We all made it to the bottom of this pyramid. Not the step pyramid but another on the same site. At the bottom were alabaster walls with intricate carvings, but in the dark with a light highlighting the wall were additional figures carved on top of what was visible.

Some of the color still remained on the cave walls.

On to lunch which is on site at the Pyramids of Giza. The only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

This was our view from lunch.

Now that we’ve eaten….time for a camel ride.

And our final climb into a pyramid. Jim and I made it about 2/3 of the way up. It was very narrow and very steep and while it started with steps, it quickly transitioned to a ramp. We took Jordan and Audrey’s word that it was very humid at the top and nothing to see.

But we can all say we have been up and inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.

We have had a lot of fun (and exhaustion) traveling together. But one of the challenges of traveling with your child, no matter how old he is, is that he might not always catch you in your finest moments.

And yes my camel is pooping as he stands!

Goodnight from Cairo. Tomorrow we start our Nile cruise in Luxor.